Optimized approach to parallelize writing to a shared memory resource

Abstract

Reducing contentions between processes or tasks that are trying to access shared resources is described herein. According to embodiments of the invention, a method of writing a set of data associated with a task to a memory resource is provided. The method includes calculating the amount of memory required to write said data to the memory resource and updating an expected end marker to reflect the amount of memory required to write the data to the memory resource. A flag is then set to an incomplete state, and the data is written to the memory resource. The flag can be set to a complete state and an end marker is updated. The end marker indicates the end of the data stored in the memory resource.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The invention relates generally to database systems and more specifically to optimizing the way multiple tasks can write data to a shared memory by allowing them to do so in parallel.[0003]2. Related Art[0004]Modern computer systems frequently employ numerous shared resources that can be used by multiple tasks being performed by the computer system. Frequently, and for various reasons, it is desirable for some of the shared resources to only be used by one task at a time. For instance, in database systems, a common type of shared resource is memory. Limiting the use of the memory to one task at a time helps to maintain the integrity of the data stored therein. Accordingly, under such a scheme, when two tasks want to write to the memory, a second task must sometimes wait for a first task to complete using the memory resource in order to use the memory resource itself. This kind of situation—one where a task must wait for...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a method to reduce contention between multiple tasks that are simultaneously using a shared resource, such as a memory. The method calculates the space needed to store data based on the tasks' expected output and updates the expected end marker to reflect this space. This allows the tasks to write data in parallel without interfering with each other's output. The technical effect of this invention is to improve the efficiency and reliability of computer systems by reducing the likelihood of conflicts and delays between simultaneous tasks.

Problems solved by technology

Contentions, while the result of necessary safeguards, can have a number of negative effects on the operation of a computer system.

For instance, a system that experiences too many contentions of the kind described above can have greatly reduced throughput, which can result in slower than optimal operation of a database system.

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